External Hard Drive - USB Device Not Recognized

[JasBains]

I did searches on other topics but none were relevant to what has happened to me so I started a new thread but does anyone know how to fix the USB Device Not Recognized error on Windows. It happened with my BlackBerry a while ago and the USB port on the BlackBerry was never able to recognize anything ever again like the charger and stuff. My 500GB External Hard Drive which is about 3/4 full of music and other stuff keeps giving me the USB Device Not Recognized error everytime I plug it in. I've tried every USB port on six different computers including laptops both on Windows and Mac and still have no luck. Is there any other way to get something to recognize it and get all the files/folders off of it. I'm almost 95% sure no files have been deleted or damaged on it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Champion09]

I am not expert, but it sounds like the problem lies more with the hard drive than the computer (b.c you tried different computer and ports). Honestly, I would suggest something as easy as trying a different USB wire (usually their firewire to USB which is very common). Also, you can try starting the computer and going into the BIOS and taking a look at the USB ports. Last question, have plugged either of these on a MAC then back into your PC and going back and forth?? I'm sure someone on here will help you...don't worry...

 

[Underground Gabroo]

whenever you get errors about a device not being recognized, its usually the device itself or the cable... just like when you start a pc, external usb devices do a most/post type startup procedure where a conection is established and device information is sent to the computer... usb cables are known to be damaged after repeated use... also, is the usb connector on the usb hdd loose?

 

[JasBains]

I've tried different USB cables and to the first post, I have plugged it into an iMac a couple of times and it worked fine when I brought it back onto my Windows computers. I think one of the ports on the front of my computer are broken because I usually plug all my USB items into the back of the computer but then I plugged it into the front of my computer this time since I was in a rush to get something off and it said USB Device Not Recognized and also with the BlackBerry, I plugged it into the front of the computer and it gave the problem. All the USB ports in the back of the computer don't give me this problem. Is it possible that the hard drive will never be recognized again or is there a fix to it? I have also re-installed the Windows on my computer from scratch and it still didn't work.

 

[Champion09]

i know exactly what your talking about...if i'm not mistaken (someone correct me if I am) but different usb ports require different amount of "power" to run certain drives...like for example a port that can run a simple 512mb jump drive might not be able to run lets say an ipod (this was my problem). try hooking something small (like a jumpdrive) and seeing what that does and if it works, then you know the reason. also, have you tried the back of the computer like you mentioned??? If it works than your probably happy bc atleast you have something working...

 

[JasBains]

All the other ports work as in hooking up other devices. The three devices that I've ever plugged into the front mistakenly (should've learned the first time around) were a 512 MB Flash Drive Key, BlackBerry and the External Hard Drive. All three are now never recognized on any other port or computer. If I plug in different devices into the back like my iPod or my controller and things, they all work but the Hard Drive doesn't.

 

[Underground Gabroo]

sounds like the ports on the front are damaged... i did the same thing to mine once as i had a usb cable plugged in and ran over it with my chair, ripping the contacts inside the port... i would stick to using the ports in the back...

 

[JasBains]

I know I'll stick to the back ports for everything else but is it possible for the hard drive to ever be recognized again? I never got the BlackBerry to ever get recognized again by the computer or the wall charger or anything and hope it's not the same with this hard drive.

 

[JasBains]

Bump for some help if possible. I miss my thousands and thousands of songs. LOL

 

[terabaap]

hmm, drive uninstalling the ports and reinstalling with fresh/new drivers...

 

[bhangrafreak01]

Lol always happens to me it your USB cord
Try other usb cords
hope that helps